LiveWell Colorado, a Denver-based non-profit, recently launched a statewide “culture change” campaign focused on helping Coloradans – and especially mothers – recognize what obesity really looks like and how to take small steps towards living a healthier lifestyle. According to LiveWell Colorado one out of two Coloradoans are overweight or obese.
A core part of the campaign is the website ( www.livewellcolorado.org ), which enables Coloradans to do a quick “gut check,” to determine where they are in terms of a healthy weight. The site then provides suggested small steps moms and their families can take to become healthier.
The following are a few small steps from LiveWell Colorado to help Colorado moms make healthy changes – there are many more on the site:
When the kids have a soccer game, take a few laps around the field while they play. (A 165lb person will burn about 175 calories per 20 minutes of jogging – the equivalent of about 5 ounces of chocolate pudding.)
Hide the television remote control so everyone has to get up every time they want to change the channel or volume
Walk and talk. Instead of sitting down while making those business calls or have that marathon catch-up call with a friend, walk around the office, house or neighborhood.
For the kids, instead of watching TV or playing video games, take the fun outside when the weather is nice. Create games such as hopscotch or foursquare using colored chalk on your driveway, build a fort, or ride bikes.
Make necklaces out of veggies with the kids and let them eat them when they’re done. You can find lots of colorful choices to use: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, snap peas, purple cabbage, you name it.
Make dinnertime a no-screen zone. TVs off, no video games, and no cell phones at the table. This way, you can connect as a family, enjoy your food and reduce “mindless eating”.
For more information about this campaign, visit LiveWell Colorado or follow the campaign on Facebook .
For more information about this campaign, visit LiveWell Colorado or follow the campaign on Facebook .